Sacramento / Placer
Felony Charge Defense
Defending Your Rights
“Felony charges have potentially serious consequences, some of them for life. The difference between good representation and bad representation can be less jail time versus more jail time, pretrial release versus staying in custody, or dismissal versus a conviction.” — Ryan J. Couzens
Felony Defense Attorney Serving Sacramento, Placer and Surrounding Communities
Former prosecutor providing strategic felony defense when everything is on the line
Felony charges are among the most serious matters handled in criminal court. A conviction can result in state prison time and lifelong consequences that extend far beyond sentencing — including the loss of civil rights, damage to your reputation, and barriers to employment and professional licensing. In felony cases, early legal intervention is often critical. Decisions made at the very beginning can shape the entire outcome.
At Couzens Criminal Defense, we represent clients throughout Sacramento and Placer County, and surrounding areas who are facing serious felony allegations. With the perspective of a former prosecutor and the experience of a seasoned trial attorney, Ryan Couzens understands how felony cases are built — and how to challenge them. Every case is different, and every defense strategy must be tailored to the facts, the law, and the person behind the charge.
Understanding Felony Charges
Felony charges represent the most serious level of criminal offenses in California. These cases often involve complex legal issues, strategic prosecution, and the possibility of long-term or permanent consequences. Understanding how felonies are defined, how they are punished, and what defenses may be available is the first step in protecting yourself and making informed decisions about your case.
The sections below explain what felony charges involve, the potential penalties, and how an experienced defense attorney can begin building a strategy to fight back.
What are Felony Charges?
Felony charges are the most serious level of criminal offenses in California. They typically involve allegations of violence, major financial loss, weapons, or conduct the state considers a significant threat to public safety. Many offenses can be charged as felonies based on the facts of the case, a person’s prior record, or the presence of aggravating factors such as injury, weapons, or alleged intent.
Below are examples of felony charges we defend and what they mean:
- Robbery (Penal Code § 211): Taking property from another person through force or fear.
- Burglary (Penal Code § 459): Entering a building with intent to commit theft or any felony.
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Penal Code § 245): Attacking someone using a firearm or other dangerous weapon.
- Kidnapping (Penal Code § 207): Moving someone a substantial distance without consent, by force or fear.
- Possession for Sale of Controlled Substances (Health & Safety Code §§ 11351, 11358): Possessing narcotics with the intent to sell.
- Auto Theft (Vehicle Code § 10851): Unlawful taking or driving of a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
- Felony Vandalism (Penal Code § 594): Willful destruction or defacement of property valued over $400.
- Identity Theft (Penal Code § 530.5): Using another person’s personal information without permission for unlawful purposes.
- Grand Theft (Penal Code § 487): Theft of property or money valued over $950.
- Negligent Discharge of a Firearm (Penal Code § 246.3): Firing a gun in a reckless manner that endangers others.
- Shooting at an Inhabited Dwelling or Vehicle (Penal Code § 246): Firing a weapon at an occupied home or vehicle.
- Resisting an Executive Officer (Penal Code § 69): Using force or threats to obstruct a law enforcement officer in the performance of their duties.
- Domestic Violence (Penal Code § 273.5): Inflicting physical injury on a spouse, cohabitant, or partner in a dating relationship.
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm (Penal Code § 29800): Owning or possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
- Elder Abuse (Penal Code § 368): Inflicting physical harm, neglect, or financial exploitation on someone aged 65 or older.
- Organized Retail Theft (Penal Code § 490.4): Coordinating with others to steal merchandise from retail stores with the intent to resell.
- Hit and Run with Injury (Vehicle Code § 20001): Leaving the scene of an accident where another person is injured or killed.
- Felony Evading a Police Officer (Vehicle Code § 2800.2): Fleeing from law enforcement in a vehicle with willful disregard for safety.
- Felony Child Abuse (Penal Code § 273a(a)): Causing or permitting a child to suffer physical harm or endangering their health or safety under circumstances likely to produce great bodily injury or death.
How are Felonies Punished?
A felony, by definition, is a crime that can result in state prison. Felony convictions carry sentencing ranges based on the severity of the offense and the circumstances of the case. Many felonies are subject to “determinate sentencing,” meaning the court selects a low, middle, or upper term depending on aggravating and mitigating factors.
More serious offenses — such as murder or certain kidnapping charges — may involve “indeterminate sentences,” which can include life in prison, with release determined by the parole process rather than a fixed end date.
Not every felony conviction results in prison. In some cases, a person may qualify for probation, which can include up to one year in county jail along with court-ordered conditions. Depending on the facts, a felony charge may sometimes be reduced to a misdemeanor, and in limited situations, alternative resolutions such as diversion programs may be available.
How Do We Defend Against a Felony?
Being charged with a felony is serious—but it’s not the end of the road. At Couzens Criminal Defense, we use strategic, strategic, and informed defense tactics to fight for our clients’ rights and futures.
Here are ten ways we can defend you against felony charges:
- Lack of Evidence: If the prosecution cannot prove every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, the case may be dismissed or result in an acquittal.
- Constitutional Violations: Illegal searches, failure to provide Miranda warnings, or coerced statements can lead to suppression of key evidence.
- Mistaken Identity: Eyewitnesses can be unreliable. Alibis, surveillance footage, or digital records may prove you weren’t the person involved.
- Self-Defense or Defense of Others: You may have acted lawfully to protect yourself or someone else from immediate harm.
- False Accusations: Charges can stem from lies, misunderstandings, or ulterior motives such as custody disputes or revenge.
- Mental Health Defenses: Conditions affecting your judgment or behavior may qualify for Mental Health Diversion or reduce criminal responsibility.
- Entrapment: If police pressured or manipulated you into committing a crime you otherwise wouldn’t have, this may be a valid legal defense.
- No Criminal Intent (Mens Rea): If you lacked the intent to commit a crime, you may not be guilty—even if a law was technically broken.
- Alibi: Evidence that you were elsewhere at the time of the crime can be powerful and may lead to a dismissal.
- Plea Bargaining or Diversion Programs: In appropriate cases, your attorney may negotiate reduced charges, probation, or entry into a program that avoids a felony conviction and jail time.
Can a Defendant in a Felony Case Get Diversion?
In some felony cases — even serious ones — diversion may be an option. One of the most important alternatives available in California is mental health diversion, which allows eligible defendants to pause the criminal process and enter court-approved treatment instead of continuing through prosecution.
Mental health diversion, authorized under Penal Code § 1001.36, may be available when a qualifying mental health disorder played a significant role in the alleged offense. If the court finds the defendant suitable and determines that public safety would not be compromised, it can approve a structured treatment plan.
If the program is successfully completed, the court may dismiss the charges entirely. In many cases, the arrest is then treated as though it never occurred — allowing the person to move forward without a felony conviction on their record.
What Sets Couzens Criminal Defense Apart
At Couzens Criminal Defense, you benefit from:
- A former award-winning prosecutor who now defends people accused of felonies
- Nearly two decades of courtroom experience with felony charges
- Early, pre-filing intervention to stop charges before they start
- A firm that knows how to investigate, challenge, and negotiate on your behalf
- Customized defense strategies including self-defense, mutual combat, lack of intent, and false accusation
Call Us Today For a Free Consultation
Felony charges put your freedom, your record, and your future at risk. When the consequences are this serious, early legal guidance matters. At Couzens Criminal Defense, we bring the insight of a former prosecutor and the experience of a seasoned trial attorney to every felony case we handle.
Call 916-603-2000 today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward building your defense.
